Merck & Co., Inc. announced resignation of Leslie A. Brun from the company’s Board of Directors effective August 19, 2021. Mr. Brun is stepping down due to his decision to become chairman and chief executive officer of Ariel Alternatives, LLC, a subsidiary of Ariel Investments, LLC, a private equity initiative being created to help scale minority-owned businesses to serve as tier 1 suppliers to Fortune 500 companies. Merck is currently evaluating making an investment with Ariel Alternatives.